Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is a major Hindu festival celebrated across India and other parts of South Asia. It is celebrated on the tenth day of the Hindu month of Ashwin, which typically falls in September or October. The festival celebrates the victory of good over evil, symbolized by the triumph of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana.
Dussehra is celebrated in different ways in different parts of India. In the northern part of the country, especially in the state of Uttar Pradesh, the festival is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm. Huge effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnad are erected and set on fire, symbolizing the destruction of evil.
In other parts of India, Dussehra is celebrated as a time to honor and worship the goddess Durga, who symbolizes strength and power. It is a ten-day long festival known as Navaratri, during which people fast, perform special prayers, and engage in cultural activities like Garba and Dandiya.
One popular story about Dussehra involves the demon-king Ravana, who is famously defeated by Lord Rama in the epic Ramayana. According to the legend, Ravana was actually a devout devotee of Lord Shiva, and had performed intense penance to obtain the god’s favor.
Impressed by Ravana’s devotion, Lord Shiva appeared before him and granted him a powerful boon – the ability to never be defeated by any god, demon or human. But there was a catch – Ravana could only be defeated by someone who had the same level of devotion to Lord Shiva as he did.
Ravana became arrogant and believed himself invincible, leading to his downfall at the hands of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. But even as he lay dying, Ravana remained devoted to Lord Shiva and sang hymns in his praise.
This highlights the idea that devotion to the gods is more important than raw power or strength. It also shows the complexity of characters in Indian mythology, where even demons can have virtues and admirable qualities.
Dussehra is also a time for feasting and enjoying traditional sweets like laddus and jalebis. In many parts of India, people exchange gifts and visit relatives and friends.
Overall, Dussehra is a time to celebrate the triumph of good over evil and to renew one’s commitment to living a life of righteousness and virtue. It is a time to come together with family and friends, to feast and celebrate, and to reaffirm one’s faith in the power of good to overcome evil.
